You can pick three spinners. It used to be that every England squad (up until the Flower era) would have three spinners, but outside of Asia that has become less common. I'd take three personally, because I think the role is crucial and an in form spinner transforms a team and two should always be considered. And I'm only including Moeen in the spinner section and in India he became a middle order bat, so there is some crossover there.

I'm looking at Moeen to be a back up spinner. I'm wondering if Rashid might be more useful on pitches with some bounce, in the home of leg spin. And Rayner because he's due a chance, but hopefully he will get a cap this summer.

like the pace spots there is probably only one place up for grabs, unless something significant happens rashid and ali will go and i would guess whoever has a decent second half of the season will end up getting the 3rd spot

First two picks for Moeen and Rashid, because they will obviosuly go...my 3rd choice was Parry...He hasn't played much f/c cricket over the years, but this year he has been preferred to Kerrigan, and he has bowled well and got wickets, he offers control, and for me he is a useful back up

Since Arthur has suggested he might be open to taking 17 - so room for a batting spare - I will now name three spinners. The two obvious plus Leach - who seems to have suddenly ceased being everyone's potential new star for some reason... Six wickets the other day says his revised action still works...

Yes, Rashid is fading out of view and Crane and Dawson are in the picture. Chances are they'll take seven pace bowlers and two spinners, though I maintain that would be crazy.

There's a possibility they've moved on from Dawson, with Crane in the current squad ahead of him. But as you say, picking him instead of Mo would change the balance of the side. Surely Crane would only play in the unlikely event he would be added as a second spinner.

andy wrote:2nd spinner will play at sydney and always in with a chance at adelaide, so talk of playing 2 spinners isn't out of the question

People always say that. But Australia rarely bother to play two spinners themselves ; and never seem to have much trouble with visiting teams who do. Last time two spinners did any good for England in Australia was when Edmonds and Emburey had the job for Mike Gatting.